Two-Step Auto-Injection Apparatus with Mechanical Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auto-injection devices face challenges with high energy consumption, large size, environmental instability, complex operation, secondary use prevention, and reliability due to reliance on electronic feedback and structural elastic deformation.
Innovation Solution
A two-step auto-injection apparatus featuring a housing with a protective sleeve cylinder, pre-filled injection assembly, and drive feedback apparatus, utilizing mechanical structures for feedback and self-locking, and eliminating the need for electronic components and elastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electric motors and transmission mechanisms are used to provide power for motion mechanisms, then the injection apparatus can achieve automated injection function, but the product volume increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electric motors and transmission mechanisms with a mechanical spring-based ejection mechanism. The spring (first energy storage member) stores mechanical energy and releases it to drive the piston, eliminating the need for electric motors and reducing the product volume while maintaining automated injection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the electronic power supply system (electric motor, battery, control circuit) from the injection apparatus, retaining only the essential mechanical components (spring, piston, needle) to achieve the injection function with reduced volume and without energy consumption.
2Loss of information
If electronic devices are used for auditory and visual feedback, then the product can provide real-time feedback to users, but the product requires power supply apparatuses that are susceptible to environmental influences and aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic feedback devices with mechanical feedback mechanisms. The feedback mechanism uses mechanical collision between the ejection mechanism and feedback mechanism to generate auditory and haptic feedback signals, eliminating the need for power supply apparatuses and electronic components that are susceptible to environmental influences.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical feedback mechanism utilizes the kinetic energy from the ejection mechanism itself to generate feedback signals. The collision between moving parts automatically produces auditory and haptic feedback without requiring external power sources or electronic signal processing.
3Device complexity
If snap buckle structures with elastic deformation are used to achieve auto-injection function, then the structure can be simple, but the structure is prone to plastic deformation and loses elasticity when in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the injection mechanism into separate functional components: the ejection mechanism (with spring) and the feedback mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without relying on elastic deformation of snap buckle structures, preventing plastic deformation and maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces elastic deformation-based snap buckle mechanisms with a spring-driven ejection system. The spring (first energy storage member) provides the necessary force through controlled mechanical energy storage and release, eliminating the need for elastic deformation of structural components and preventing plastic deformation.
4Reliability
If limiting parts such as limiting pins are inserted after use to prevent secondary touch and use, then the product can be secured against misuse, but the situation of missing installation and missing the limiting parts may occur for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-locking functionality where the release mechanism automatically locks in the released state after use. The lock catch member engages with the release sleeve cylinder to prevent secondary activation, eliminating the need for separate limiting pins and ensuring reliable prevention of secondary use without requiring additional user actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a preliminary locking action where the lock catch member is positioned to automatically engage with the release sleeve cylinder upon completion of the injection cycle. This preliminary locking action prevents secondary use before the user can mistakenly activate the device again, ensuring safety without requiring post-use limiting parts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus provides a compact, reliable, and user-friendly injection system with auditory and haptic feedback, reducing anxiety and misoperation, while ensuring environmental protection and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a first energy storage member axially storing energy is disposed between the pushing rod and the guide tube
Implementation Method 2
a second energy storage member for storing energy circumferentially is disposed between the feedback ring and the pushing rod
Implementation Method 3
the feedback mechanism includes a feedback ring co-axially sleeved at an outer side of the pushing rod... the second energy storage member drives the first convex portion to strike a side wall of the first guide groove to generate the sound signal
Implementation Method 4
the protective sleeve cylinder is pressed on an injecting portion, and the protective sleeve cylinder moves from the proximal end to the distal end relative to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a two-step auto-injection apparatus consisting of a housing, a protective sleeve cylinder, a pre-filled injection assembly and a drive feedback apparatus, wherein the pre-filled injection assembly is loaded into the housing, and the protective sleeve cylinder covers a needle of the pre-filled injection assembly, so that the protective sleeve cylinder directly contacts an injecting portion and the function of injection can be realized by pressing to trigger the drive feedback apparatus during use, thereby facilitating quick operation with a needle tip hidden in the whole process; the drive feedback apparatus of a piston in a needle cylinder is driven to combine a release mechanism with an ejection mechanism and a feedback mechanism, and the release mechanism is triggered by pressing the protective sleeve cylinder, so that the ejection mechanism is released, and the ejection mechanism interacts with the feedback mechanism in a form of collision, for example, to generate a sound signal and/or a haptic signal in the moment of release for prompting a patient to begin an injection; when the ejection mechanism finishes movement, the ejection mechanism interacts again with the feedback mechanism in the form of collision, for example, to generate the sound signal and/or the haptic signal for promoting the patient to finish the injection.